The Rebel •Newt TMR• HIATUS

5: The Jobs

"I'm not trying out Slopper or Slicer!" I wrote out frustratedly, holding it up for Alby to see. He merely rolled his eyes and lead me to the area that the builders were.

"Gally! I'm dropping off the Greenie so she can try this job." Alby looks at me, "Gally is the Keeper of the Builders so you will do what he says, understood?" I scowl, tucking my auburn hair behind my ear. "Good. Now I expect no fighting. Off ya go!"

Gally glared at me and handed me a hammer. "Go do whatever, just stay out of my shucking way." I walked over to some other builders, who welcomed me into their little group and made small talk with me.

"You know, I think Gally's got a bit of a thing for ya." One of the boys whispered, making sure the brunette was nowhere near us. The others murmured agreements. I crinkled my nose but gave them an amused grin as I began to write some things.

"Yeah right! As if I'd ever go for a dickwad like him!"

The builders laughed, nudging each other playfully before returning to their work. I glanced over the brunette in confusion.

I did know him before this... What if– no that's just gross.

———

In the Med-Jack hut, I sat silently with Jeff and Clint. It was super boring since no one came in so we didn't really have to do anything. I started tapping my fingers on the table, letting out a tired sigh.

"Can you stop that?" Jeff asked, who was leaned back in a chair attempting to nap. I internally groaned, pushing back my chair and heading out to find someone to talk to. My eyes scanned the Glade and landed on Newt, who waved me over.

"Bored of the Med-Jacks already?" The blonde chuckled, I instantly perked up at the sound of his laugh. I nodded, making a gesture to seem like I was sleeping. A comfortable silence fell over us for a moment before he let out a sigh. "Look, I'm sorry if I made you upset earlier, love. I'm just trying to protect you." I took a deep breath and pulled him into a hug. Newt seemed taken aback at first but he slowly wrapped his arms around my waist lightly.

"Anyway, you better get back in there." He suggested, lightly shoving me in the general direction of the hut.

———

It was time to be a Track-hoe. Honestly, I didn't hate it. Having Newt show me how to properly plant and take care of the crops was exhausting yet I felt good about myself. A bonus was that I actually had people that communicated constantly.

Currently, Newt was helping me harvest a variety of veggies while the other Track-hoes fertilized and replanted. I tuned into the sound of the blonde's humming as I wiped sweat from my forehead. It was getting close to lunch time now, and my stomach was growling quietly as I crouched lifted a large basket of produce off the ground. I walked into the Homestead and went straight to the kitchen to deliver the fresh produce to Frypan, who accepted it gratefully.

Without thinking, I quickly wrote out my question on my notepad and gave it to him.

"You wanna help me cook?" Frypan asked in a surprised manner. I gave him a small smile and a shy nod. He ushered me behind the counter to join him in the process of making lunch.

We made an assortment of different sandwiches and I also managed to brew a soup on the side. Gladers began flooding into the kitchen, lining up to grab food for themselves. Frypan would hand them each a sandwich and I would pour a small bowl of soup for each, which shocked the boys. After everyone was settled in their seats eating away, I thanked Frypan and served myself before heading over to sit with Newt and Chuck.

"This soup is delicious Cassie!" Chuck exclaimed, making very loud slurping noises as he tipped the bowl to his lips. I silently giggled, digging into my own meal.

"Where'd you learn to cook?" Newt questioned, taking a large bite out of his sandwich.

"I'm not sure. It just kinda came naturally I guess." I wrote.

The blonde nodded, "Well, I think you should help Frypan in here more often. Wait  'til I tell Minho what he's missing!" My mind drifted as I thought about how Minho got to run around in the Maze all day. I was very tempted to be a runner, but it was explained to me that the Keeper, Minho, needed to choose me. I wasn't extremely fit, I had an average body and got lazy very easily. My eyes began to examine my arms and thighs, they seemed fine to me. It was then that I realized I had been wearing these clothes for the past two days, and they were now dirty with grass stains and saw dust from my jobs.

"Newt, do you have a change of clothes I could wear?" My writing was neat, as if it would seem more persuading. The Brit looked at me and grinned.

"Of course, follow me." We left Chuck at the table, who mumbled 'cute' quietly, but I heard him. I blushed as we made our way to Newt's hammock. Since I was behind the boy, I carefully watched him. I saw how his hair flopped up and down with every step, how his arms were very muscular yet he was so lean. Lastly, my gaze fell on his leg. He had a limp when he walked, funny how I never noticed before.

We reached his hammock and he handed me a pair of clothes kindly. I beamed at him, thankful for a clean outfit. Newt chuckled, greeting some fellow Gladers who were also in the room. My gray eyes trailed down to his leg once more, trying to figure out what could've possibly caused that limp.

"It happened in the Maze." I flinched at his firm tone. I opened my mouth, as if I actually had a voice. Instead I gave him an apologetic look. "Anyway, that was in the past, and I don't want to talk about it."

I nodded nervously, knowing that I upset him. I took the clothes and headed to the kitchen, tapping Chuck on the shoulder before taking out my notepad.

"Can you guard the washroom while I change?" Chuck's face lit up and he saluted me. I smiled, walking with him to the hut. The guilt of upsetting Newt began setting in as I changed clothes.

What was in the Maze that could've possibly caused that injury?